2. Explanation of the principle
a. The first area of concern is that of attaining and maintaining an accurate understanding of who and what you are physically and emotionally.
Ps. 139:13-16
Job 10:8-12
Rom. 12:3
2 Cor. 4:16
2 Sam. 21:5-17
b. The second area of concern has to do with a structure of activity and relationships which will maintain you at optimum physical and emotional strength.
2 Cor. 12:1ff
Ps. 102:23
c. The third area of concern focuses on the concept of your “redeemed humanity.”
1 Cor. 6:19-20
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3. Practical implementation of the principle
a. Concerning physical health
1) Beware of fundamental ignorance of or indifference to the basics of health and nutrition.
1 Cor. 10:31
2) Beware of excessive weight accumulation.
a) Because it produces sluggishness
b) Because it cripples the conscience with guilt
c) Because it breaks the grip on the consciences of others
2 Cor. 6:3
3) Beware of the “no planned physical exercise” syndrome.
1 Tim. 4:8
4) Beware of the pattern of cheating on the necessary measure of sleep.
Prov. 6:6-11
Mt. 26:40
Ps. 127:2
Mk. 4:35ff with Lk. 8:22ff
1 Kings 19:5ff
5) Beware of the dependence upon or addiction to stimulants and depressants.
1 Tim. 4:4-5
1 Cor. 6:12-13
6) Beware of the “no day off” pattern of life.
4th Commandment
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Minister’s Fainting Fits,” in Lectures to My Students (Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1990), book I, pp. 174-175;
Thomas Murphy, Pastoral Theology (Audubon, NJ: Old Paths Publications, 1996), p. 104;
Warren Heckman, “The Pastor and His Pastime,” in Ministry Magazine (November 1981), pp. 26-27.
7) Beware of the “no planned vacation” pattern of life.
Mk. 6:31
Ebenezer Porter, Lectures on Homiletics and on Preaching and on Public Prayer and Lectures on Eloquence and Style (Andover, MA: Gould and Newman, 1836), pp. 506-507.
8) Beware of the stubborn refusal to listen to others who see the signs of emotional and physical weariness in you.
See also Albert N. Martin, “The Christian and the Stewardship of His Physical Health” (audio recording, code TT-Z-1-4), Trinity Baptist Church, Montville, NJ. See also “The Solemn Covenant of Kilbirnie Place” (n.d.).
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b. Concerning emotional health
1) Beware of unnaturalness and ministerial stoicism.
Gardiner Spring, The Power of the Pulpit (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1986), pp. 158-159.
2) Beware of social isolationism.
3) Beware of taking on excessive responsibilities.
4) Cultivate a wholesome domestic climate.
5) Cultivate the ability not to take yourself too seriously.
6) Cultivate a pattern of timely wholesome emotional diversions.
B. B. Warfield, “The Emotional Life of Our Lord,” in The Person and Work of Christ, pp. 93-145.